An abattoir worker presented with a malignant pustule on his hand that progressed to form an ulcer. The smear was taken from the ulcer and sent to a laboratory for investigation. The diagnosis is:

Anthrax is a zoonoses, caused by Bacillus anthracis Q, that occurs primarily in herbivores Routes of Infection: Humans become infected when B. anthracis spores are introduced into the body by the following routes: Contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products Q Insect bites Q Ingestion Q Inhalation Q Three major clinical forms in Humans: Cutaneous Q (MC) Gastrointestinal (rare) Inhalational or pulmonary (it causes hemorrhagic pneumonia)